Away v Cambridgeshire - Saturday 30th / Sunday 31st March 2019
Week ending Saturday 30th - Sunday 31st March saw Dorset travel to Cambridgeshire for the penultimate game of the season. Division 1 couldn't be much closer with only 11 points separating the top 5 teams. Dorset sat in 2nd place one point/game ahead of Cambridgeshire who are in third, so we knew we had a tough game ahead of us. Most travelled up on Friday night as it was a 3-4 hour trip for most of us. So how did we get on?
Up first for Dorset Trina Perry (definitely the BEST Dart player in the family) who played really well getting us off to a dream start hitting a 19.52 average winning 3-0 and was Dorset's Lady of the Match. Lorraine Woodrow up next missed a few doubles and loses 1-3. Carol Llewellyn played well enough to win 3-1 Cambridgeshire's Carol Bareham missing numerous doubles. Donna Mabbatt (19.02) v Amy Grant (18.61). Amy hits the first 180 of the day on her way to taking the first leg. Missed doubles from Donna and she goes 0-2 down. Donna pulls a leg back in the 3rd only needing one at the double. Donna scored well through out her game but Amy stronger around the double and takes not only a 3-1 win but is Cambridgeshire's Lady of the Match.
Sally Old up next (17.14 Ladies Captain) took her game to a deciding leg and with a 133 and 95 found herself at the double first and hits tops last dart in hand to take the win. Claire Mabey (17.99) v Nadine Bentley (19.37) up last we hoped for the win. First leg went with throw to Nadine. Missed doubles from Nadine and Claire levels poking 40 hitting 20 double10. Scores of 125 followed by a 140 gave Nadine first crack at a shot out, but Claire pokes 72 (12 20 tops) to go 2-1 up. Poor scoring from both in the 3rd until Nadine hits a 140 and goes onto poke 107 to force a deciding leg. A 140 from Claire on her way to winning the last leg poking 59 in two darts with a "COME ON" as she hits the winning double giving our ladies a 4-2 win, and a good start for Dorset. Bring on the Men's B.
Up first Richard Perry (23.67) Rich poking 75 (17 18 tops) to take the first leg. Eddie Martin (23.68 Cambridgeshire) hitting a 180 on his way to taking the 2nd leg. Rich misses a few at a double but takes the leg to go 2-1 up I knew then he would win, no more 3-0 up losing 3-4 for him and sure enough he goes onto a 4-2 win. Next up Robby Morris (23.91) who missed a few doubles losing 0-4 must be a first for Robbie not even taking a leg. Dave Cosstick up next making his DEBUT for Dorset. Dave races away in the first leg on 88 he hits the treble twenty wires double 14 (on the inside) wires double 7 to leave 7 and struggled from there Cambridgeshire coming down to pinch the leg from nowhere. Dave's head dropped a bit then and he loses 0-4 i'm convinced IF that first leg had gone his way it would of been a TOTALLY DIFFERENT game. Matt Woodhouse (24.98) up next. Now Matty is on a good winning run at the moment (long may it last) and he didn't disappoint running out a 4-1 winner and was Dorset's Man of the Match. Kevin Smith (23.41) up next. Big things expected from Kev this his 3rd game back this season, having not only won the first two matches but picked up Man of the Match in both as well. Things this time not going his way as he loses 1-4. Alan Ayres (21.02) not his day either as he misses a few doubles losing 1-4 also. So after 6 matches Dorset behind 2-4
Declan Harris(24.32) v Iain Styles (24.05) what a close cracking game this was. All of the first 6 legs went AGAINST the throw most unusual. Declan with throw starts with a 47 o dear but after that threw some tremendous darts poking out 98 in two darts for a 14 dart winning leg. A very emotional Declan more than a little pleased with his win. Next up Matt Read (23.84) v Will Harwood (26.03) close first leg both missing doubles leg going to Will. After 9 darts Will is on 41 and takes the 2nd. 15 dart leg for Will in the 3rd. Matt misses 3 darts at double 2 (yes it happens) Cambridgeshire take the 4-0 win. Graham Inniss (25.70) up next well out scored Cambridgeshire's Paul Wenn (25.12) so much red pen but this game is all about the double and Graham loses 2-4. Roy Pidgeon up next first to admit he had a lucky draw winning 4-0 with a 20.45 average BUT gets the important WIN that's all that really matters. Scott Hutson (24.56) v Terry Redhead (27.30) what a good game this was to watch. Scott goes into a 2-0 lead then Terry seemed to go up a gear, and takes the 4-2 win, and was Cambridgeshire's Man of the Match. Up last Nigel Lamb (24.47) Nigel back in the team. Nigel takes the first leg but numerous missed doubles and he loses 1-4
Poor result for our Men's B losing 4-8 leaving a BIG ask for our A teams tomorrow as we go into Sunday with the scores at Cambridgeshire 10 Dorset 8.
Up first for our ladies Sarah Chick (17.38) Sarah raced into a 2-0 lead but that winning double is the hardest to hit and Liz Humphries (16.62 Cambridgeshire) pulls it back to force a deciding leg. Sarah had a good scoring 5th leg and gets to the double first but missed tops tens ending up on 5 and struggled to find a big 3 eventually ending up in the madhouse that is double one. A VERY relieved and lucky Sarah Chick finally hits 1x to take the win. Next for us Suzy Trickett (19.20) v Diane Nash (24.24). Close first leg going with throw to Diane. Suzy hits a 180 in the 2nd leg but Cambridgeshire find the double. Suzy doesn't do much wrong but is outscored by Diane who didn't miss much winning 3-0 and was Cambridgeshire's Lady of the Match 24.24 the highest average of the weekend for the ladies. Next up Julie Frampton (18.58) Julie hits tops 2nd dart to take the 1st leg, Julie leaves 36 in the 2nd leg good switch (yea right) as she hits a big 4 double 16, and goes onto take a 3-1 win, putting our Ladies 2-1 up.
Next up Cath Campbell (18.73) who travelled up this morning last game Cath hit a 25.47 average and was Dorset's Lady of the Match, not the same Cathy up on stage today losing 1-3. Next Sam Kirton (18.52 the beast) Sam found herself 0-2 down but Cambridgeshire's Leanne Topper found that winning double SO HARD to hit and Sam's a little lucky to level at 2-2. The deciding leg missed winning doubles from both players Sam getting the luck and the win. Last up we hoped for the win Katie Mitchell (18.74) v Karen Stanhope (18.24) Karen hits a 140 to leave 8 returns misses 3 darts at it, Katie pokes 42 to take the first leg, and no problem at the double in the 2nd leg, 17 double 8 to go 2-0 up. A good 3rd leg from Karen and she pulls a leg back. Two tons and an 81 gives Katie first go at a double, missing a few ending up on double 3. Any double is a good double when you hit it and Katie does to take the win 3-1 and was our Lady of the Match and more importantly giving the Ladies A a 4-2 win. Now it really is up to the Men's A as overall score standing at Cambridgeshire 12 Dorset 12.
Up first for Dorset Robbie Martin (24.61) Robby starts well 140 180 and takes the leg in 15 darts (3 at a double) Robby so many scores of 60 all resting on the top wire and his game goes to a deciding leg with throw. Robbie misses one dart at double 8 Cambridgeshire poke 120 to take the win. Next up Tommy Morris (24.27) now we all love his game he plays with a passion. Both had chances at a double in the first leg, leg going with throw to Cambridgeshire. Tommy then takes the next 3 legs to go 3-1 up. Tommy loss of concentration in the 5th leg mix up on scores leg going to Cambridgeshire. Close 6th leg both having a go at a double but you heard the "COME ON" as Tommy takes the win 4-2. Next up Matty Yarrow (23.19) nice 16 dart leg for Matt to start. Matt well ahead in the 2nd leg ends up in the madhouse and can't hit it Ashley Colman (23.77 Cambridgeshire) hits a 180 to leave 20 also ends up at the madhouse but he hits it 1-1, but that brought their averages well down. Close game going to a deciding leg, Ashley wires double 11 for a 142 shot out, returns misses 3 more at 22, Matt hits tops to take the win. Steve Earley (24.76) v Chris Fidler (28.49). Steve is back on 159 as Chris takes the first leg. Steve k/o next leg with a 137 and goes onto hit a 140 to leave 41 and levels at 1-1. Chris takes the next leg then pokes a 160 to go 3-1 up. Steve out scored by Chris and loses 1-4.
Next up Scott Mitchell (31.46) all of Cambridgeshire's side waited with baited breath when the draw was done to see who got him, that honour went to Leigh Beeton (23.38) Scott takes the first leg with throw. Leigh starts next leg with a 140 and hits a 137 to leave 4. Scott misses 53 Leigh pokes out 1-1. Nice 14 dart leg next from Scott followed by 13 dart leg to go 3-1 up. Scott misses double 16 for a 106 shot out, but no problem as he wins 4-1 was Dorset's Man of the Match and a 31.46 not to shabby either the highest average of the weekend. Lee Turle (26.81) up next. Lee scoring ok his opponent John Imrie scoring better and not missing at the double and Lee finds himself 0-3 down. Lee doesn't give up pulling it back to 2-3 behind then pokes a 143 (60 51 D16) to level at 3-3 and we are all thinking just maybe. Close nervy last leg from both players Lee on a ton hits the treble 20 then puts two darts on the top wire of tops, Cambridgeshire poke out and take the win. After 6 games score all even at 3-3 and Cambridgeshire still have WOLFIE Martin Adams and Dennis Harbour to come. Dorset players also waiting to see who would draw their star players.
Next up Dennis Harbour (28.50) v Paul Allen (26.96) Paul getting one of the two short straws. Paul undefeated so far this season. Paul back on 186 as Dennis goes 1-0 up. Dennis pokes 75 to go 2-0 up. It takes a 16 dart leg (with throw) for Paul to take a leg. Paul relaxes a bit and hits a couple of 180s but Dennis is to strong for Paul taking a 4-2 win and was Cambridgeshire's Man of the Match. Next Potty Mark Porter (25.47) both had chances at a double in the first leg Cambridgeshire's Stuart Ward (25.54) taking it. Potty pokes 72 to level at 1-1. Good scoring 3rd leg from both Potty hitting the double to go 2-1 up. Stuart pokes a 151 to level at 2-2. Potty hits a 136 to leave "the big fish" 170 no I don't understand that expression either, and goes onto poke 110 to go 3-2 up. Good scoring from both in the 6th leg Potty leaving 38. Potty hits the winning double last dart in hand and turns all in one movement to shake his opponents hand.
Mark Grimes (26.19) up next. Took Mark 4 throws before he hit a 180, and he takes the first leg. 13 dart 2nd leg to Cambridgeshire's Scott Williams (28.01) Mark hits two more 180s on his way to level at 2-2. Scott goes 3-2 up. Mark misses 3 darts at his favourite double tops Scott takes the win 4-2. Next up Danny Pearce (22.80) v WOLFIE Martin Adams (28.26). First two legs went with throw. WOLFIE scoring well goes 3-1 up and if he keeps this up he will beat Scott Mitchell's average. WOLFIE misses HOW MANY darts at a winning double LOADS and Danny pinches the leg. Both had a go at a double in the 6th leg Martin Adams taking the 4-2 win I think Danny played the man not the board but yes he took 2 legs off of him. That gave Cambridgeshire at least a draw now winning 18-16. Carl Beattie (24.07) had a battle against Kelly Corcoran (22.80) neither could get away from each other match going to a deciding leg Carl taking the win and keeping are hopes of a draw alive. The Jacket Richard Wright (21.93) on last for that draw. Been here before twice this season losing 17-19 surely our turn. Rich takes it to a NERVY deciding leg starts well then hits 4 poor scores leg and match going to Cambridgeshire winning overall 19-17 and for once you really did hear Cambridgeshire's supporters. Gutted to say the least. Dorset's Men's A normally winners but lose 5-7.
MARTIN'S THOUGHTS
We have had a tremendous season yes we've had 3 losses all 17-19 but the support out there has been great they all fear playing THE GREEN ARMY as they know what we are capable of. After winning or losing the players are up there supporting each other nice to see and hear. I really believe we have one of the strongest Dorset teams we've had for a while. Some great performances as always but the journey home for me seemed to take forever it's always longer when you lose but heads up boys and girls still one game to go but unfortunately we have to rely on others (never good) to get promotion we need Cornwall to trash Devon, Gwent at home to beat Cambridgeshire and us of course to beat Oxfordshire too much to wish for but never say never. Nice both the Mitchell's got their respected MOM and LOM in the A. No need to give you the good and not so good as Clarky did that in his summing up speech.
Will see you all at home end of April let's go out on a high.
Green Army a little down but NEVER out.
RESULT
Cambridgeshire 19-17 Dorset
Women's B Won 4-2 // Mens B Lost 4-8
Women's A Won 4-2 // Mens A Lost 5-7
Match Report by Martin Maidment
John CLARK
